Driver in head-on collision charged with DWI

Published: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 6:40 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 6:40 p.m.

A Hendersonville man has been charged with driving while impaired after a head-on collision sent three to the hospital with serious injuries, including a mother and her infant son.

Trooper Bryan Stroup said Paul Jeffrey Satterfield, 56, of Hendersonville was driving under the influence of drugs when he crossed the center line on Kanuga Road Monday afternoon and crashed into a Honda SUV carrying Heather Stepp and her 6-month-old son, Ely Stepp.

All three were rushed to Pardee Hospital, and mother and son were then airlifted to Mission Hospital.

Satterfield has also been charged with careless and reckless driving. More charges may be pending.

Stroup said Satterfield has a history of traffic-related violations, but no previous charges for DWI. Excessive speed was not considered a factor in the wreck, according to Stroup.

The force of the impact left baby Ely in critical condition with a brain injury, broken left leg, a cut on his liver and a skull fracture, according to relatives. He remains in Mission’s Prenatal Intensive Care Unit.

“Heather has two broken feet in addition to her crushed left ankle. Her right elbow may also be broken,” said her cousin, Kim Crank. “They are saying she won’t walk again without pain and possibly assistance.”

Heather Stepp, a 26-year-old mother of three, was heading into town for lunch with Ely, who was strapped in a car seat.

An account called the “Heather and Ely Fund” has been set up for those who wish to donate at the Local and State Government Employee’s Credit Union.

<p>A Hendersonville man has been charged with driving while impaired after a head-on collision sent three to the hospital with serious injuries, including a mother and her infant son.</p><p>Trooper Bryan Stroup said Paul Jeffrey Satterfield, 56, of Hendersonville was driving under the influence of drugs when he crossed the center line on Kanuga Road Monday afternoon and crashed into a Honda SUV carrying Heather Stepp and her 6-month-old son, Ely Stepp.</p><p>All three were rushed to Pardee Hospital, and mother and son were then airlifted to Mission Hospital.</p><p>Satterfield has also been charged with careless and reckless driving. More charges may be pending.</p><p>Stroup said Satterfield has a history of traffic-related violations, but no previous charges for DWI. Excessive speed was not considered a factor in the wreck, according to Stroup.</p><p>The force of the impact left baby Ely in critical condition with a brain injury, broken left leg, a cut on his liver and a skull fracture, according to relatives. He remains in Mission's Prenatal Intensive Care Unit. </p><p>“Heather has two broken feet in addition to her crushed left ankle. Her right elbow may also be broken,” said her cousin, Kim Crank. “They are saying she won't walk again without pain and possibly assistance.”</p><p>Heather Stepp, a 26-year-old mother of three, was heading into town for lunch with Ely, who was strapped in a car seat. </p><p>An account called the “Heather and Ely Fund” has been set up for those who wish to donate at the Local and State Government Employee's Credit Union.</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>